Originality is king, and this offering from Rafael Casal is chillin in the throne. Though "Up Your Sleeve" isn't my favorite song to date from The Getback Crew, it is an effective vehicle to help tell an amazingly theatrical story. When Casal enters an abandoned warehouse, suspiciously circles his unmoving girlfriend and sits down with her over a game of cards, we gather that this is a showdown of sorts for them. They then each pick up half of a split deck and begin to play a game of War with cards that read, LOVE, NEGLECT, COMMITMENT & JEALOUSY, among others.
The writer in me was blown away by the 'love as war' metaphor at the heart of Casal's video. His artistic vision and Nathan Lee's directing and editing triumph as the story unfolds–the song now merely a backdrop to the state-of-the-relationship showdown unfolding before us. The acting is also superb as Casal and Christine Doelling of Lunch Box Theory fluctuate between calculated poker faces and raw reactionary emotions. I won't give away the ending, but it's definitely worth watching.
"Up Your Sleeve" is the first of a series of video songs The Getback Crew will be releasing, perhaps best described as musical made-for-TV movies. In other words, the videos aren't visual aids to hit singles, but rather collaborative projects from inception that showcase both the audio, video and storytelling abilities that the crew has in spades. This offering from them is a great example of what to expect.
They are also in the midst of another audio visual web series that will showcase local Bay Area acts. The Getback band is backing local emcees and singers in a professionally filmed and edited MTV Unplugged-like experience that will provide the featured artists, the band and the film crew with great exposure via a dope end product. The inaugural edition will be shot this Saturday featureing R&Bay diva Netta Brielle and raucous Oakland crew League510. If you would like to be a part of the exclusive in-studio audience, please email 38thNotes@gmail.com.
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2 comments:
the getback crew is the best in the bay!
I had never heard of Rafael Casal but what a dope artist. This R&B music video is cool too. His vocals are rich and soulful and the song itself is nice and chilled. His rap is nice too. Hes gotta cool flow and some nice rhymes. I would love to hear more music from Rafael Casal.
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